There is no doubt that a strong argument can be constructed in favour of David Cameron’s Big Society notion.

Helping our neighbours, getting involved in community activities, doing something to assist those in need, not walking by on the other side. It’s a powerful vision for a better, more fulfilling way of life

But, and this is a big but, there is precious little evidence that the community sector has the wherewithal or the willingness to step up to the mark by filling the non-statutory public services that are being axed by local councils across the country.

Developing a Big Society at a time of unprecedented local government spending cuts was never going to be easy.

The challenges beginning to emerge in Birmingham demonstrate just how difficult it will be to transfer responsibility for service delivery to voluntary groups, who themselves face having their grants cut or removed completely by the city council.

Birmingham may soon be without a Citizens Advice Bureau service after the council withdrew funding. The city’s Youth Service is facing severe cutbacks, leading to fears that anti-social behaviour and crime among young people will soon begin to rise.

It is fine to demand a Big Society, but voluntary groups can achieve little without adequate funding.